Katarina Meilers is a smart professional design consultant, emotionally scarred by her mother’s past and that of her own. She is content with immersion in work until she finds herself enthralled by the deep green eyes and quirky smile of Chase Prestian, one of the wealthiest and most powerful men in the world.Chase is unrelenting in his pursuit and Katarina is defenseless against the palpable … palpable magnetism that exists between them. She finds herself plunged into a world of ostentatious wealth, danger, and a journey of sexual exploration that ignites her deepest, darkest desires.
When Katarina learns the truth about his past, and her own, she must overcome naiveté and a deep-seated mistrust to determine if she can accept the domineering traits of a man whose tendencies for control know no bounds.
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WARNING Explicit sexual encounters.
Kate is fantastic at her job.
She is way out of her league when she starts a relationship with Chase.
She has to work out different emotions and deal with things from her past.
This book shows you what can happen when you are not sure about what happened in the past—because it influences her choices.
This book also shows when you are in doubt—ask questions, because you could miss out on something good.
Some of the second book is at the end of this one—-I was already hooked with this first book.
I am adding something to this review from the first time I did it.
In this first book I am unsure of Chases motives and how he conducts business. By the end of this book I was seeing things Chases way—now after reading the second book I am second guessing myself. Still have not decided how I feel about Chase.
Degrees of Innocence
By Via Mari
5 stars
I loved this book! It really was a fantastic read. Katarina and Chase were so, so hot together! This was one steamy read but also had a fabulous suspense running through it too that kept me on the edge of my seat. I thought the author did a great job with the characters, especially Katarina; she got her level of innocence just right so that it was believable. I liked Chase, he was definitely the hot domineering type, he had set his sights on Katarina and nothing was going to stop him!
I haven’t read anything by this author before but I am really looking forward to the next book in the series! A great 5 star read which I highly recommend.
So I started read these series in reverse, and now I need to reread them all. This was so well written, hot and steamy, but there is so much more to the story of the love Chase and Katarina have for each other.
Reading a new author is always exciting for me because I get to read New stories New intrigues and New character’s to fall in love with.
A friend introduced me to Via Mari and suggested I would love to read this book, she wasn’t wrong …I loved it.
At first, I wasn’t sure that I would like for it started in first person, and I’m not really into reading books in that format. But, the character’s Chase and Katarina pulled me in as each scene unfolded I had my temperature rising, simmering to full blown boiling.
Even as the plot of the attempts on Katarina was getting tO where I was wondering who was doing it, Via had me by not giving any clues as some other authors do she really had me couldn’t believe who was finally. .you’ll have to read it to see who..
Ás to Chase and Katarina their relationship is starting at a too fast …needing to trust period so now I need to start reading their next part…
Via Mari’s Degrees of Innocence is exactly what it says there are different levels or degrees in the innocence that any person can have and still be able to be innocent of anything.
You will love this book and as I am getting and reading the next and next….
13 people found this helpful
I don’t even know where to start! This book is well written. From a naive city girl who meets a billionaire in Aruba and doesn’t even know it. To hot and erotic sex scenes described to every last detail like you where in it. Boy Do I Mean It!!! To how on point the writter is with details. I looked up a few things that is the travel agent in me. Via is 100% accurate. Then attempts of murder. Then adjusting to living arrangements and how they will be done. This book even had the Papparrazi who had one get it right and all others get wrong. This book delievers on so many level! Highly Recommend This Book!!!
I started Via’s books backwards having read The Torzial Affair Series, Book 1; Shattered and Book 2; Bound before The Prestian Series. I think I would’ve preferred to start with The Prestian Series before the Torzial Affair Series to become better acquainted with the characters. The same characters from The Torzial Affair Series are involved with The Prestian Series and I couldn’t love any of them more than I already do. Another fabulous thought out storyline, character development is amazing and like her other books I’ve read, my heart was pounding with the emotions that the characters were experiencing. Via Mari has created such a fascinating world that I can completely submerge myself in and forget about everything surrounding me. I actually spent two hours today at the café in my small town reading only diverting my attention to get myself another cup of tea. Cheers to Via Mari for writing such a beautiful world that can grasp not only my attention but my emotions as well while making me wonder what will happen in the next coming books.
Reading a new author is always exciting for me because I get to read New stories New intrigues and New character’s to fall in love with.
A friend introduced me to Via Mari and suggested I would love to read this book, she wasn’t wrong …I loved it.
At first, I wasn’t sure that I would like for it started in first person, and I’m not really into reading books in that format. But, the character’s Chase and Katarina pulled me in as each scene unfolded I had my temperature rising, simmering to full blown boiling.
Even as the plot of the attempts on Katarina was getting tO where I was wondering who was doing it, Via had me by not giving any clues as some other authors do she really had me couldn’t believe who was finally. .you’ll have to read it to see who..
Ás to Chase and Katarina their relationship is starting at a too fast …needing to trust period so now I need to start reading their next part…
Via Mari’s Degrees of Innocence is exactly what it says there are different levels or degrees in the innocence that any person can have and still be able to be innocent of anything.
You will love this book and as I am getting and reading the next and next….
I’m new to Via as an author. I am very impressed. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!!!!!
Left me wanting more. Chase and Kate are really well developed characters, but it took me some time to get pulled in to their story. I liked that Kate was unaware of certain things and later blindsided with revelations.
Degrees of Innocence
(The Prestian Series book 1)
Via Mari
Periodically I have to go for medication infusions which last a couple hours at a time so I’m constantly looking for a good book to help me escape the boredom. I stumbled across Degrees of Innocence while looking for my most recent read and I was really intrigued by the synopsis. Via Mari is a new to me author so I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book but knowing it was book one of a series I was hopeful I had found my next set of escapes for a while.
I wasn’t disappointed when I started Degrees of Innocence, I was actually a little surprised at how quickly I was drawn into the storyline and captured by the characters. This story was unique with well written twists and turns that left me on the edge of my seat but there were aspects that still left a familiar feel which I welcomed (like the usage of email communication).
I’m really impressed with how strong the storyline was written with a balance of incredibly steamy romance but substance and intrigue. I’m hooked and looking forward to carrying on more with the series.
This was an okay book. It was a quick read and pretty interesting. I feel like the synopsis was very off to the point where I starting reading and few chapters in I was like, so am I reading the right book? This isn’t at all what it seemed like. So I definitely was put off by that. The characters were good strong Male and female leads. Chase bugged me a little bit by “why are you still working?” Over and over, but I understand what the writer was going for. It wasn’t the best story I’ve ever read but it wasn’t the worst and enjoyed it.
Degrees of Innocence is book one in the Prestian Series by Via Mari. As this was my first rendezvous with this author, I didn’t know what to expect. It was a pleasure reading this exciting and dramatic story.
Katerina has a few demons she is battling, and escapes into her work. She meets Chase amd is immediately in awe of him. Chase is persistent in his courting of her, often leaving her breathless and enamoured by him. He is a power of relentlessness and left nothing to chance when it came to Katerina. Enter the mystery and suspense. Nothing is as it seems, and I was on a knife’s edge a lot of the time. Degrees of Innocence was a gripping and highly passionate tale shrouded in mystery and dastardly deeds. A delight it was to discover this author, and a brilliant escape was reading it. 4 stars
Degrees of Innocence by Via Mari is the first in A Preston’s series. A story of control and domination this book will get your pulse racing.
Katarina has always thrown herself into work as a way to forget. To forget the past. To forget her own shortcomings. It has worked for this long and she knows it will work for much longer.
Until she meets Chase. This meeting diverts her life into a path she hadn’t accounted for – one that, once she is deep within it, she isn’t sure she wanted. With secrets between them Katarina has to figure it if she can accept her faults and not let them hold her back. Or if they will stop her from living a life unexpected.
This book is so full of chemistry it utterly sizzles! Chase and Katarina are so well written that I can almost imagine being there for each meeting, each conversation. The story was intriguing – I wanted to know what the secrets were and what effect they would have. As a new author to me I didn’t know what to expect but I enjoyed the style of writing she brings to the table. She knows how to keep the book interesting and therefore how to keep your attention all the way through. A great read.
4 Stars
Degrees of Innocence is the first book in the Prestian series, and debut novel by Via Mari. It is a romantic suspense that’s full of action, danger, secrets, hidden agendas, humour, and some mystery.
Katerina Meilers (Kate) is a design consultant who has has been hired to help design a new state of the art medical facility in Chicago. As part of the planning process the whole team has been flown to Aruba where they will spend the week on a brainstorming and design forum. Kate has arrived a few days ahead of time to get things set up and ready for the coming week. An unusual crisis on her first night on the island introduces her to a very sexy and charming man who she can’t stop thinking about. They end up having dinner together the next night and exploring the island. The chemistry between them is electric. She thinks there may just be a chance at finding something special with him. So, imagine her surprise to find on Monday morning as the team assembles and introductions are made, to find the man of her dreams is the billionaire owner of the Corporation that has hired her for this project. She doesn’t date colleagues, let alone her boss- ever. But what happens when dangerous situations occur that seem to target Kate specifically? Has it got something to do with chase and his ‘business’? Or is it something more sinister?
This was a really great story that easily pulled me in and kept me engrossed the whole way through. I loved the chemistry between these two, Ms. Mari built the tension beautifully. The same with the suspense- she definitely had me guessing and trying to figure out what was happening. The only thing that thought could do with a little improvement is that the sex scenes, particularly the first 75%, seemed quite awkward- like the author felt quite uncomfortable about writing them. The language used in those scenes also didn’t match the rest of the book and seemed a little old fashioned. It did improve a towards the end, so maybe the author was gaining confidence. It seemed to be a bit of a teething problem which will hopefully get better over time…. I hope that is the case for the rest of the books in the series (which are all available now).
Also, there were some points in the story where the transitions seemed a little abrupt, clipped or stilted- but again I am putting that down to the author ‘finding her feet’. The story itself is really great and I will definitely be reading the rest of this series.
Thank you, Ms. Mari!
3.5 stars
DEGREES OF INNOCENCE is the first book in a series that has sexy times & suspense. The relationship between M/m will cover 4 books. It took me a long time to connect with the story and I had to keep reminding myself that just because name brands are constantly named, doesn’t mean that they were product placements…lol
This book is set in Aruba and I actually jumped online to see if the resort is based on a real one. It sounds amazing.
There are a lot of secondary characters and a few I would like to know more about.
The book was well structured and edited. There no plot holes and it followed a cohesive timeline.
I will read the next installment in the series in hopes that some of my questions are answered.
This book was unexpected. This was the first book I have read by this author. The characters are well developed and relatable. The plot moves easily and had a really good pace. I appreciated how the author wove the storylines together and presented the mysteries. This book wasn’t predictable. It was a breath of fresh air and I appreciated the voice the author used throughout. Well written.
I like kate and chase they are well written. You think it going to be the same old plot like all the others. It not.. love it
If your a fan of Fifty Shades of Grey and Meredith Wilds Hacker series you will love Degrees of Innocence. Katerina and Chase were absolutely amazing and steamy. I loved that she was the one holding back in the relationship and he wanted it to be more. Usually the guy isn’t as ready as the girl. Katerina ‘s innocence and adventurous sides were very well written. Also the suspense in it was really thought out. I didn’t see that curveball coming. I can’t wait to read book 2 Degrees of Acceptance.
Degrees of Innocence (Prestian Series #1) was a okay read, with hot smut, mystery, danger, and it hooked me enough to want to read more.
My first read by this author and this series, I was in shacky territory because though I like romance books, with smut, I’m not into the erotica genres. This was way out of my comfort zone, and though I liked it enough to follow the series, I’m still not all that into that hard core erotica. You might find this funny, but I find it boarding.. yeah I know, I’m weird. But I this book did a great job at spacing the scenes and with the compelling complex plot, the twist and turns and the unraveling mystery, it keeps you hooked and for me, kept me engaged in the story as a whole.
As for our MC’s, well, they did have some good character development, and I did like they why they were written, but at times I felt like I was reading characters I’ve met before. Same with the dynamics between the two, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying their were bad, just that, they were too familiar. Maybe instead of having a billionaire male MC who is the boss, and the female MC that is you know sort of well off, but not in that rich world, and gets introduced and all. How about a more realticable character, like someone in the middle class-ish. I just feel that the power dynamics are always the same, and a little overdone.
But the true star of this story is the mystery/danger that seems to be following our female MC. The little interconnecting details, the twist, the reveal. That was the highlight for me, and is what kept me reading. Because though we get a shocker of a opening, and a event that causes our MC’s to meets, the pace gets a little slow, but looking back now, as I start to fully connect, makes sense.
Overall this book was a pretty okay read. It’s good to read outside your comfort zone sometimes, and if you’re like me and what to venture out, then I suggest giving this book a try. It has my stamp of approval and my recommendation.
Happy Reading
-E.A. Walsh
If it wasn’t for the encouragement of a fellow book-lover I would not have finished Degrees of Innocence. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not bad, I just wasn’t feeling the storyline. Maybe because it felt so similar to other books I’ve read? I can’t really say. There’s romance, sexual exploration, a bit of danger…I’ve seen several readers compare the book to 50 Shades. If that’s what you’re looking for, I’d say give it a go ;).